HHS Backstage Ensemble Takes On Chekhov

Hamden High School’s Backstage Ensemble will be closing out an exciting season of theater with Chaos Ensues: a compilation of short plays by Anton Chekhov. This celebration of comedy, music, and mayhem will run from May 30 – June 1.  

The Backstage Ensemble is an entirely student run group, created to give our actors a different kind of theater experience. Senior members of the Mainstage Ensemble direct, design, and produce our backstage productions. These productions provide not only a wonderful evening of entertainment, but also an excellent learning experience for both the production staff and cast.  

Chaos Ensues includes four of Chekhov’s most exciting one act farces. The Bear, The Proposal, The Night Before the Trial, and The Jubilee tell astonishing tales of duels, love, and complete and utter chaos.  

The production’s cast features both new and veteran members of Hamden High’s wonderful theater program. Last seen as members of Schultz’s Peanuts gang, Nathaniel Feeley, Jeff Jannitto, Joseph Benitez, Sara Courtemanche, Nicollet Laframboise, Raymond Looney and Chase Brown take on leading roles in these zany one acts.

Tabatha Gayle, Emily Jones, and Ali Mandell, who were last seen as the wacky nuns in Nunsense, also join in on the fun. Rounding out the cast are Sam Nicefaro, Kulsoom Farid, Christina Anastasio, Khalil McCary, and Joey Santore.  

The directors, Scott Redmond, Ben Hawkins and Gavin McNicholl, are incredibly excited about their work. They feel that they have chosen pieces that allow for high energy and creativity, which is exactly what this theater company is all about.

The production will run Thursday through Saturday, May 30th, 31st and June 1st, with all shows starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Hamden High School auditorium.  Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults and will be general admission.

Ticket information and reservations can be obtained by calling 407-2040 ext. 3102 or by emailing the theatre company at hamdenbackstage@gmail.com.